• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Living The Gourmet logo

  • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Featured
    • Writings
  • Recipes
  • Wines
  • Interviews
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Curried Cheeseburgers with Sauteed Apple & Tomato Sauce

Apr 23, 2020 · 22 Comments

Today we’re preparing one of my new favorite ways to prepare burgers – with an herbed apple and tomato sauce. The burgers themselves have been kicked up with a medley of spices, including Jamaican curry, ground coriander, and hot paprika, and then finished with a delicious balsamic glaze.

No worries, however, these burgers are easy on the pantry, and super simple to put together.

Ingredient Substitutions and Notes

1) Coriander Substitution. Cilantro. Cilantro and Corriander actually come from the same plant – dubbed “Coriandrum sativum.” Coriander is the seed of the cilantro plant, while ‘cilantro’ are the leaves. Fun fact: The entirety of the plant is edible and flavorful. Coriander root, for example, is popular in some regions. That said, dried cilantro substitutes just fine on a one-to-one basis for coriander. Equal parts cumin and parsley also makes for decent if slightly ‘inexact’ substitute.

2) Your Cheese of Choice – Swiss is just a suggestion. I’m using swiss simply because that’s what I happened to have on hand. Sliced provolone, ‘decent’ American, or sliced mozzarella would all work fine.

3) Hot Paprika – Notes and Substitutions. I’m using ‘Hot’ Paprika, also called ‘Hungarian Paprika,’ since this adds a nice ‘kick’ to the burgers but with a nice touch of ‘smokiness.’ Using other varieties of paprika will result in a much different flavor profile. Spanish or ‘Smoked’ Paprika has only a very muted ‘spice’ to it, and is more akin to ‘Chili Powder’ in terms of flavor – being, as the name implies, quite ‘smokey.’ By contrast, ‘Basic’ paprika is mild, non-spicy, and only rarely has an ‘intense’ smokiness to it. ‘Basic’ paprika is what you probably see most often on the store shelves, and its quality, taste, and intensity can vary wildly depending on region and brand. Substitution: If you don’t have Hungarian or ‘Hot’ paprika on hand, you can use cayenne. You’ll want to use about two-thirds of a teaspoon as compared to a whole teaspoon.

4) Balsamic Glaze – How Sweet It Is. One of my new favorite things in the world, I’m currently on a Balsamic Glaze kick, and loving every moment of it. Seriously, balsamic glaze goes great on just about everything from steak to eggs to burgers to pasta. It adds a dash of class with delicious ‘sweet balsamic’ flavor. That said, making your own is about a simple as ‘simmering’ water. For directions on how to make your own, see my Cabbage and Bean Soup, just scroll down to my section aptly entitled “Making a Balsamic Glaze At Home.”

Selecting Quality Chop Meat – A Primer

1) Fat Is Flavor. This may come as a shock, but muscle tissue has ‘almost zero’ in the way of flavor-giving compounds. Instead, virtually everything we humans perceive as ‘flavorful’ in meat, be it fish, pork, beef, or poultry, comes directly from ‘fat.’ As a result, the more ‘fat’ a piece of meat has, the more ‘flavor’ we perceive. Muscle tissue also cooks up dry, and is naturally tough. By contrast, fat is soft and reduces to a thick ‘grease’ during cooking, and so the more ‘fat’ a piece of meat cooks in, or has laced through it as ‘marbling,’ the more tender and moist that piece of meat will be. Yes, I know I’m offending someone somewhere with this, but I’m just giving you the truth.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that despite ground sirloin being the most expensive chop meat out there, it is also the leanest, driest, and ‘least’ flavorful, containing somewhere in the vicinity of 8-14% fat by volume. Ground round is in the same boat, but typically contains somewhere between 10-13% fat. Both of these types of chop-meat are often labeled ‘Extra-Lean Ground Beef.’ Ground chuck is widely considered the ‘best’ ground beef for burgers, meatballs, and meat sauces, and contains somewhere in the realm of 20% fat by volume.

However, so-called ‘Regular’ ground beef, which can contain in excess of 30% fat is sometimes ‘filled’ or ‘laced’ into ground chuck simply to give the chop meat even more flavor. The reason ‘Regular’ ground beef is rarely used on its own is because so much of its ‘melts away’ during cooking, that it actually becomes a hassle to use. There’s also the matter of ‘price bias.’ Since ‘Regular’ ground beef is far and away the cheapest, it’s also assumed to be the lowest quality. The opposite is true of ground sirloin.

2) Color – Your Only Guiding Light. In truth, the only ‘guidance’ that can be offered when buying pre-ground beef is to look at the coloring. Grey or brown ground beef has begun decaying. Instead, you want the meat to be a bright pink color, and to be ‘moist’ looking. Also, take note of the cling wrap, which should appear pristine and free of ‘droplets.’

3) Never Buy In Bulk. Never, ever buy those massive opaque containers of ‘Ground Beef’ that have been popping up in the refrigerator aisles of your local grocery-carrying big-box stores. There is a reason those tubs are derided in culinary circles as ‘chub rolls.’ While I’m all for affordable food, those bulk containers of ground beef should be avoided like the plague.

More Quarantine Cuisine

If you’re looking for more ‘quarantine friendly’ recipes, Living the Gourmet has got you covered. Below are some of my favorite ‘quarantine-era’ recipes, which I’ve formulated to be as easy on your pantry as possible.

1) Five Ingredient Flatbreads. These are a staple in my home year-round, (quarantined or not), simply because they are so easy to prepare, are absolutely delicious, and are blissfully versatile. Whether you’re making wraps, pairing them with dips, as a side to sauce, or are using them for your favorite tortilla recipes, they are truly something every home chef should know how to make.

2) Simple Potato and Pasta Soup. A warming and simple soup comprised of garlic, shallots, and potatoes set over penne pasta, with thin sliced pan fried pepperoni. Simple to piece together, and featuring a medley of basic ingredients, this is soup is perfect for those of us currently on lockdown.

3) Pastina with Mushrooms and Bacon. One of the simplest pastina recipes I’ve ever made, it’s perfect for times like these when we’re all at the mercy of a global quarantine. This pastina cooks up very quickly, and keeps nicely for up to four days. Utilizing just seven basic ingredients (not counting salt, pepper, and the pastina itself), most of which can be swapped out for equally basic pantry-friendly ingredients, this pastina recipe is a must-have.

4) Gemelli with Peas and Pancetta. A rustic mix of anchovies, crisped pancetta, and garlic, with fresh tomatoes, set over a bed of gemelli pasta. This, to my mind, is what ‘Old World’ cuisine is about.

Living the Gourmet

Yields 4

Curried Cheeseburgers & Sauteed Apple Sauce

10 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

30 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

5 based on 11 review(s)

Recipe Image
My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

    For the Burgers:
  • 2 lbs. of ground beef
  • 2 slices of sandwich bread – crumbled
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. Jamaican Curry
  • 2 tsps. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 tsp. hot paprika
  • 2 tbs. olive oil – for frying
  • Swiss cheese slices – if desired
  • Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
  • For the Sauteed Apple Sauce:
  • 1 pint of grape tomatoes
  • 1 sweet onion – sliced
  • 2 carrots – diced
  • 2 celery – sliced
  • 4 small apples - peeled and sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves – sliced and divided
  • 2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes – divided
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. sugar – divided
  • 3 – 4 tbs. olive oil

Instructions

    For the Burgers:
  1. Place the meat, crumbled sandwich bread, eggs and spices in a bowl.
  2. Using your clean hands, mix, but do not over mix.
  3. Form into desired sized hamburgers.
  4. Heat a large cast iron frying pan with the olive oil.
  5. Place the hamburgers in the frying pan, do not overcrowd the pan. The hamburgers will not cook properly if you do.
  6. When the burgers develop a nice char on one side, flip and continuing cooking on the other side.
  7. Place a slice of cheese on the cooked side, while the other side is cooking.
  8. The size of the burgers will determine the cooking time.
  9. When the burgers are pressed down upon, the firmness of the burger tells you how cooked the burger is. The firmer the burger the more cooked the burger is. However, since there are eggs in the burger you will want to cook the burgers a bit more than usual.
  10. For the Sauteed Apple Sauce:
  11. Heat a large cast iron frying pan without oil.
  12. Place the sliced onion and half of the chopped garlic in the pan and sprinkle with a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt. Let the onion and develop a nice golden color on the edges.
  13. Add the tomatoes and again, let the tomatoes soften, then gently press to smash the tomatoes. Gently, press the tomatoes so that they do not splash you.
  14. Add the seasonings and two tablespoons of olive oil and toss. Set aside while sauteing the apples.
  15. Heat the same cast iron frying pan with two tablespoons of olive oil.
  16. Add the apple slices to the pan with the rest of the garlic and saute and let the apples become slightly charred.
  17. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of sugar, salt and a half a tsp. of red pepper flakes.
  18. Add the apples to the tomato mixture and toss.
  19. Plate the burgers and top with the tomato and apple mixture and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze.
7.8.1.2
1427
https://livingthegourmet.com/2020/04/curried-cheeseburgers-sauteed-apple-sauce.html

If You Enjoyed Today’s Recipe…

Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with all things Living the Gourmet, and for more great recipes, tips and tricks.

Did you make this recipe?

If so, let me know in the comments down below, or post a picture to Instagram, or to Pinterest, and I’ll give you a shoutout on Instagram, or post your pin to one of my Pinterest boards!

More from my site

  • Brown Butter Brandy Apple Hand PiesBrown Butter Brandy Apple Hand Pies
  • Apple PancakesApple Pancakes
  • A Relaxing Evening with DiGiornoA Relaxing Evening with DiGiorno
  • ~ Spaghetti with Chickpeas and Feta Cheese ~~ Spaghetti with Chickpeas and Feta Cheese ~
  • Truffle Linguini with Fresh Tomatoes, Anchovies and BasilTruffle Linguini with Fresh Tomatoes, Anchovies and Basil
  • Gluten Free Spinach & Goat Cheese SouffléGluten Free Spinach & Goat Cheese Soufflé
1

Beef

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. angiesrecipes says

    24/04/2020 at 4:29 am

    This looks droolworthy! I love curry and burger...this is definitely a winner!
    Reply
  2. Ghulam Mohyudin says

    24/04/2020 at 8:57 am

    Good to know that works too! I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  3. DAVID J MYERS says

    24/04/2020 at 5:16 pm

    Catherine, Curried cheeseburgers! I never even thought about curry and a burger together but we do like both a lot... I'd be happy to have one of those imaginative burgers on a bun. I wonder how that would work without the bread in the mix? Like the kick in spice you added too... Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
    Reply
  4. Melsisa Cushing says

    25/04/2020 at 2:57 pm

    Oh my goodness.... I am totally making these as they look amazing! The toppings and the delicious look of the finished product are making me drool over here. Thank you for sharing and making these for sure this weekend :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  5. Kristine Nicole Alessandra says

    25/04/2020 at 9:39 pm

    This curried cheeseburgers look so yummy! This is going to be a new experience to the palate for my family. I must try your recipe soon!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  6. Jessica Goodman says

    25/04/2020 at 10:42 pm

    What a unique combination of flavors. This is something I will have to try myself but in a vegan version. Thanks for the share.
    Reply
  7. Dan "Jay" Reyes says

    26/04/2020 at 12:17 am

    This looks yummy! I like spicy cheeseburger with tomato sauce. I haven't tried putting a sauteed apple but it sounds a good ingredient to the recipe.
    Reply
  8. Lisa says

    26/04/2020 at 10:47 am

    This is a different take on the cheeseburger recipe! I’ve never tried it with apple and tomato sauce before, but there’s a first time for everything, especially in this period.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  9. Monica says

    27/04/2020 at 3:20 am

    Curried Cheese burgers look so delicious. I love your creativity and using unusual combinations. The apple and tomato sauce sounds interesting. Loved the tips and other quarantine dishes. I am going to try some beads.
    Reply
  10. Gloria says

    11/05/2020 at 7:08 pm

    Yes bring on grilling season and burgers. These sound delicious. A nice change from other burgers. Can't wait to give this recipe a try.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  11. Melanie says

    12/05/2020 at 2:50 pm

    Omg, such a flavourful comforting meals, I'm totally drooling over this recipe, looks amazing! Saving for later!
    Reply
  12. Chef Dennis says

    13/05/2020 at 7:57 am

    Hmmm yum! This Curried Cheeseburgers with Sauteed Apple & Tomato Sauce is making me drool! I never tried such a delicious cheeseburgers before. I can't wait!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  13. Karen says

    13/05/2020 at 2:03 pm

    I can almost taste these burgers through my screen - they look so juicy and delicious!
    Reply
  14. Eva says

    13/05/2020 at 6:46 pm

    What an interesting flavour combination! I love myself a good burger and I have never tried anything this peculiar. I would definitely vote for provolone as for my cheese of choice!!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  15. Laura Arteaga says

    13/05/2020 at 8:02 pm

    We love curry and cheese, but never though about making curry cheese burgers! They look amazing :) Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
    Reply
  16. Leslie says

    15/05/2020 at 9:53 pm

    I'm so jealous of how good these burgers look! It's almost dinnertime where I'm at and now I'm rethinking my choice for dinner! haha!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  17. Elaine says

    17/05/2020 at 11:13 am

    These cheeseburgers are so good, I can't wait to get all the ingredients that I need to make them. The blend of spices must have taken the taste through the roof!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  18. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says

    17/05/2020 at 3:48 pm

    Your cheeseburgers look divine! From the mix of spices in the ground meat to the choice of the Swiss cheese to the 'icing on the cake', that apple and tomato sauce!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  19. Paula Montenegro says

    17/05/2020 at 9:16 pm

    The mix of curry and apple with a burger is making my want to grab your photos! So flavorful. Great post and a great recipe. Thanks for sharing.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  20. Marwin Brown says

    18/05/2020 at 2:19 am

    Looks like a tasty and unique recipe! The balsamic glaze is a great touch
    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Slow Cooker Pot Roast - Living The Gourmet says:
    28/04/2020 at 5:02 pm
    […] The Best Beef for Pot Roasting. Chuck roast. As I covered in a previous post, fat is flavor when it comes to meat – all meat. Why is this? Well, you can thank our lowly […]
    Reply
  2. Pan Roasted Brisket of Beef - Living The Gourmet says:
    09/02/2021 at 3:28 pm
    […] Curried Hamburgers. A flavorful twist on a familiar classic, these beef burgers are prepared with a mix of Jamaican […]
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe: ☆☆☆☆☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to LTG

The heart of our home lies within the kitchen. For us, it is so much more than a place where meals are created; it is where memories are made over meals that are meant to be shared. It was from this belief that Living the Gourmet was born. Read More...

Looking for Something?

Subscribe to the LTG Newsletter

Find Your Influence

Copyright © 2021 · Cravings Pro

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Living The Gourmet
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.